Chapter 25: Private Auction Estate, Night (2) (Patreon)

Iris left a trail of eyes staring at her elegant figure as she swept down the ballroom.

Both men and women appeared transfixed by her radiance as her long hair glittered beneath the chandeliers. Every inch of her milky-white skin seemed exposed beneath those bright lights, so much so that even the glittering ornaments and cutlery dimmed as she passed.

Such was her mesmerising beauty, the gazes continued even after she passed people by. It wasn't only her cleavage that was exposed, but also her back. The dress was cut low from behind, revealing everything above the ribbon tied around her waist.

I felt pride surge throughout me. All these wealthy noblemen and yet for the moment, they seemed as small as children playing knights by the river.

The pride was short lived, however.

I was her boyfriend. But I could no longer call myself her lover.

Away from Iris and I, the man that now monopolised her glamorous body was making himself a nuisance to a trio of ladies waiting beneath a pillar. He spoke confidently, his smile even louder than his laughter.

Iris continued at a brisk pace, heading towards the enclosure sealed off by curtains.

Her expression seemed fatigued as she undoubtedly heard Magnus beginning a quickfire overview of his exploits. But while this wasn't unusual whenever anything involved Magnus was concerned, the rising blush on her cheeks were.

Perhaps it was due to the occasion. Magnus rarely had a chance to embarrass us, or to disassociate himself from his duties, at such a high-brow event. It was an opportunity to rile up Iris he wouldn't miss.

And yet a part of me also wondered whether Iris's ire was due to something else.

Something other than simple exasperation at Magnus's unprofessionalism.

“That man has no sense of tact,” she said, rolling her eyes as I could almost see her thinking about blocking her ears. “This is not the appropriate time to fraternise with the local populace.”

I raised an eyebrow.

I wondered if she'd used the same choice of words had Magnus not been speaking to a trio of ladies.

“Is the local populace considered our enemies now?”

“They are certainly not our allies. Not even the baron.” Iris's expression grew sterner. “I can feel it. Do you? The eyes assessing how we can be put to use. Did you notice how nobody has questioned our identities or our presence?”

I nodded.

I also noticed that the eyes were likely doing more than assessing how we could be used, so far as Iris was concerned. But perhaps I didn't need to voice that. She of all people was aware of the lingering gazes on her.

“They know who we are, and I imagine also who sent us.”

“I suppose that's good and bad news. We don't need to embarrass ourselves with a cover story.”

I frowned slightly, taking in the eyes and veiled whispers. Some, I could see, were now being aimed at myself.

“More bad than good,” I said quietly. “They know who we are and what we're capable of. Meanwhile, we've walked into the dragon's lair with a blindfold around each of our heads.”

Iris discreetly slowed down her pace.

“Do you expect trouble?”

I smiled wryly.

“When do I not?”

Iris glanced at me, then returned my smile.

“So, have you decided what our cover story is, then?”

“A group of arrogant heroes coming to eat all the free food and haggling for artifacts they can't afford.”

Iris tilted her head slightly.

“Which part of that is the cover story?”

“The best lies are those shrouded in truthhoods.”

“... So I see. And ours appear to be nothing but the truth. A highly nuanced plan.”

“They'll never see through it.”

Iris giggled slightly. Any worry in her eyes quickly diminished.

This was more normal. The type of conversation I could be expected to have with a party member. A person I cherished. Every now and again, it was nice to remind myself that sordid conversations weren't the only thing I had with the girl I loved.

And yet as she walked forwards, I couldn't help but notice more and more of the eyes upon her. I could feel it like a heat wave. Desire. These weren't the commoners outside who could only gawk. They would buy her if they could.

I wondered, for a moment, how much of a pandemonium Iris would cause were she presented as a prize at the auction.

The moment I thought that, a bitter feeling of shame struck at me like a hammer.

I felt like I had crossed a red line in my own mind. I could not allow her to degrade herself anymore than she already has.

It was one thing for Iris to entangle herself with one of our own for my desires. But to test how I would react were she offered to another man was not something I wanted to experience. I did not want to know what emotions I would feel.

I did not trust myself enough.

Already, I couldn't escape the feelings of excitement coursing through my veins at the thought of her giving herself to Magnus. How, I wondered, would I survive the emotions if she began to give herself to others as well?

“Good evening. Are you here to join the auction? I regret to say that bidding for the first round of items has already concluded. However, much of the night's most prized items are still available to be obtained.”

A maid standing by a gap in the curtained partition separating the auction site with the ballroom spoke briskly to us. I snapped awake from my thoughts at once.

“We are,” I replied. “May we enter?”

The maid's expression took on a hue of regret.

“Of course, but due to limited space in the auction venue, only one authorised bidder is permitted within. My apologies, but will the lady or the gentleman be representing the head of the Renfont family at the bidding?”

I smiled. I'm sure that in the shadows, others were too.

There goes any hope of a cover story. Five minutes into Blackrose's politics, and I hated it already. Perhaps the baron knew this already, and that's the true reason he sent us here on his behalf. It saved himself the tedium and the boredom of these poor cloak and dagger games.

“I will,” I said, before nodding at Iris. “Sorry, looks like I need to publicly embarrass myself alone.”

Iris wore a sympathetic smile.

It was almost as if she believed these small acts I did were at all difficult. Afterwards, I'd have to remind her that running her sword through half-giants was considerably more difficult than anything private functions could demand of me.

“It's fine,” she said kindly. “I'll be there to smooth over any social faux-pas you commit after you're finished. Until then, I'll wait here for you.”

“It sounds like you'll be bored stiff.”

“I'm sure I'll find some means to entertain myself. Watching the nobility choking on essence of slime may prove a suitable distraction.”

“I hope that doesn't imply you'll be the one choking them with it.”

Iris raised an eyebrow as she plainly ignored a group of younger nobility slowing down as they passed her. Some of them began elbowing each other while not bothering to hide their leering.

“I make no promises.”

I gave an exaggerated bow, then prepared to enter the bidding site.

“Then I shall endeavour to return with utmost haste, my lady.”

Iris gave another dazzling smile.

“Please do.”

~ ~ ~

If the Demon King's army invaded this ballroom at this very moment, I didn't think I'd mind.

Boredom threatened to derail my mission as even the simple task of staying awake proved harder by the moment.

A well-dressed man behind a podium directed the proceedings. He offered curt descriptions towards a succession of weird, rare or wonderful curious that should have had me scratching my head regarding their uses and their bidding prices.

And yet despite the unfamiliarity of these surroundings and the marvels put on brief display, I found the business-like atmosphere to be drudgery incarnate.

There was no flamboyancy or raging disputes. There wasn't even so much as a cough as the bidding ceiling was repeatedly broken as the night wore on and another phoenix goblet was snapped up, likely to be used to cure another inane affliction.

Perhaps it was due to the presence of so many intermediaries that little commotion was permitted. Or perhaps much of this auction, just like the games in the main hall, had already been orchestrated.

My brief exposure into the world of Blackrose's nobility had taught me that whatever experience I had as a merchant's son was sorely inadequate in a world where money wasn't exchanged, but was thrown away.

I had much to learn. But judging from what I was seeing, I doubted if it was worth learning.

“And now, ladies and gentlemen, our penultimate auction of the evening.”

I snapped up from my seat.

I wasn't sure when I had become numb to the feelings of wonder I should have had, but after the initial wave of curiosities had passed me by, my academic interest had become greatly tempered by the simple fact that ordinarily, I wouldn't have had the coin to take part in this exercise.

As a result, I was now here to merely do my duty, such as it was. I doubted if I'd ask for this moment to be recorded should a historian ever wish to jot down my party's modest exploits, but a commission was a commission. The reward said as much.

I recalled the instructions from Baron Renfont in my mind as the second to last item was brought to the podium by two hired guards, wrapped beneath a black cloth.

Soon, the final item of the evening would be presented, and although it would be better for all involved if no commotion was created when I finally broke my bidding silence, a part of me couldn't help but hope that some measure of excitement would present itself before this evening became a faint memory.

No sooner did I think that did my hopes and fears all come true.

The auctioneer carefully unfurled the black cloth. What I saw blew all my thoughts away.

“Ladies and gentlemen. I present to you the penultimate lot of the evening. The Spear of the Wayward Maiden.”

Much like all the other wonders brought up tonight, little more than a few hushed whispers resounded within this partitioned space.

There should have been a clamour like no other. And if any member of the Church, or indeed, any representative of the Royal Army were present, there would have been.

It was a golden spear affixed at the tip with ornate wings as sharp as they were majestic, and gleamed with a blinding radiance from end to end.

Such was its brightness, that the chandeliers above paled compared to its dazzling light. Here was a spear that boasted more than mere aesthetics.

I had no doubt in my mind.

This was a holy artifact. A weapon bestowed by a deity. Perhaps even the God of War himself.

And its presence here was very much illicit.

This was not a phoenix goblet, of which could still be purchased at considerable expense. This was a named weapon. An artifact of ages past. A tool to defeat the Demon King. And such treasures were permitted only in the hands of heroes or designated officers of the Royal Army.

My eyes darted around as I took in the muted reactions of those present. Either they had known it was coming, or even this artifact was little more than an upscaled curio. A fitting teaser before the final prize of the evening.

I did not know what that last draw of the evening would be. But I knew that it did not matter. Not any longer.

I apologised silently to Baron Renfont, then prepared to raise my hand.

The morality of this decision could be debated later. Whatever the consequences, this spear could not be lost again to the display cabinet of some smirking nobleman. Not while there was a Demon King whose army was ravaging the northern borders.

“Once held by the Wayward Maiden, whose storied valour allowed the first stones to our glorious kingdom to be laid, it is said that this is the spear that laid low the Dark General of ages past, before being used to smite the Demon King himself. A precious, holy artifact in exemplary condition, retaining all its original features and enchantments, and certified by two Archbishops of the Church. This spear was recently rediscovered by great fortune by a prominent member of Blackrose's citizenry.”

The auctioneer blinked, then looked around the room.

“Please note that this bidding is merely for the right to return the artifact to the lawful possession of the King, and that upon receivership, all efforts should be made to ensure its return in a timely manner. A portion of the winning bid will be reserved for the Royal Treasury's officers upon successful collection, in order to ensure an orderly transition of ownership.”

I couldn't help but let out a wry smile.

So that's how they intended to sidestep any issues. Just take a long time to deliver it back.

It sounded too stupid to work. Which meant that it most definitely would.

“Bidding will now begin at 50,000 silver pieces.”

A handful of arms shot up.

I waited, and then raised mine.

“60,000 silver pieces.”

“70,000 silver pieces.”

“90,000 silver pieces.”

“95,000 silver pieces.”

I did not lower it, keeping it raised even as the auctioneer raised the bidding price.

I smiled again as other arms began to remain still.

It looked like Magnus would be getting his holy weapon, after all.

~ ~ ~

Curious glances met my relieved expression as I emptied out all of Baron Renfont's permitted reserves to purchase out the weapon.

There was no possibility of going higher. I simply did not have the funds, having already been informed in advance of the bidding threshold available to the Renfont Estate.

That the threshold wasn't surpassed was welcome to me, as otherwise, I doubt I would have stopped in pursuit of the spear. As things was, I was glad that I had only essentially robbed the baron. I hadn't outright bankrupted him.

There would be dear reparations to pay. 147,000 silver pieces worth, to be exact. But that would be a bridge to cross later. And hopefully, one that could be done with ample spoils of war.

This was much more than a mastercraft spear. It was a weapon to bring to the forefront of the war against the Demon King, and other lesser dangers besides. Combined with the new equipment we could purchase from last night's commission, we would need to have urgent discussions regarding whether or not to already consider leaving the city for other pastures.

Remembering the rest of my party, I turned around to the entrance of the bidding venue.

The appearance of the Spear of the Wayward Maiden and the ensuing bidding war had erased all other thoughts from my mind. But I can't have been the only one to be mesmerised by the weapon's appearance.

Iris would doubtless have shared the same thoughts as me.

I knew I would get no chastisement from her over my decision to misuse the baron's funds, even if she would likely have to help me smooth the dire financial ramifications over.

Had we merely been adventurers, we would have followed our commission to the letter. But we were more than that. As ordained heroes, we strove for a higher purpose. In the name of the Goddess of Love, there was no scenario in which I could have allowed a holy spear to remain the centrepiece of a nobleman's prized antique collection.

That all I had to do was misappropriate coin was a relief. I did not want to think about what I would have been compelled to do otherwise.

And so, I turned to the entrance of the venue, eager to relay my thoughts regarding our new purchase.

However--

Despite her promise that she would wait for me until the bidding had finished, I did not see a hint of that golden hair, nor those mesmerising eyes which matched so well with her striking blue dress.

Iris was nowhere to be seen.